Chapter 16

We left Omashu behind, immediately shooting into the heavens once Lee gathered enough rations. We flew as long as we could before resting and eating. But still we were going to make it to Republic City in two days.

It seemed like forever until we reached the familiar waters of Yue Bay. Selene trumpeted in joy as we descended to Air Temple Island. Rohan was sitting there in the main area, like a speck of blood against the pale stone. When we landed, Rohan smiled in greeting.

"My sister told me of your arrival," he said, nodding to Lee. When he dismounted from Selene, he made a deep bow.

"Master Rohan."

"Thank you, Tiana, for escorting Lee here. His skills will definitely be useful here," Rohan said, smiling at me. I nodded, then looked at Lee. He met my gaze stonily.

"Goodbye Lee," I said. Before he could answer in response, I patted Selene's neck, prompting her to take off. She dropped me off as close as she could to my home without being seen.

"Go rest, girl. Then we can maybe go on a new adventure!" I told her, rubbing the soft scales on her snout.

She snorted, her breath billowing around me, brushing back stray hairs. Then she took off, a torrent of wind blasting me.

Smiling faintly, I weaved my way through the city, finding home only partially lit. That meant either Mom and Dad weren't home, leaving only Yena in the house, or everyone was asleep. By the time we had arrived to Republic City, it had been sundown. By the time I got home, it was dusk.

I opened the door, letting it creak loudly open. I looked immediately into the living room. Again, the ornate chairs were empty. A half empty tumbler of amber alcohol twinkled in the dying firelight. They didn't leave that long ago.

"You're home!"

I turned to see Yena in the doorway of our shared room, her ebony hair tumbling down in glossy waves. Her silver eyes burned with a bright happiness, stark against her creamy skin.

She slammed into me, her strong arms wrapping around me. My arms went around her small waist, my chin resting on her shoulder. We held each other for a long time, just slightly rocking on our feet. I felt the tension flooding out of my body. It didn't matter that one of us could be the Dark Avatar.

We were family, and that was all that mattered. Again, I felt whole.

"I'll go make you some tea. You've had a long journey," she said, smiling softly. She patted my hair softly and then turned to go to the kitchen. I immediately went into our shared room, stripping my worn travel clothes and pulling on warm pajamas. I let out a breath in relief. I was so tired.

My head was bobbing in fatigue when Yena returned, with a steaming bowl of tea.

"Just the way you like it. Oh, and I added a little something to help you sleep," she said.

I smiled, accepting the warm bowl in gratitude. When she returned to the kitchen to clean up, I sobered. I placed the bowl on the dresser and brought my bag in front of me. I withdrew a white crisp envelope. On the front were the characters that made up Yena's name. I tucked it into one of the dresser drawers, so it could be found without too much trouble.

I chugged the tea, scalding liquid churning in my stomach. I could taste whatever Yena had put in it, a soothing sweet flavour that was smooth on the tongue. As soon as I finished, my eyes drooped to a near close, eyelashes brushing my skin. Sliding the empty bowl onto the dresser, I plopped down into bed, barely able to pull the covers over myself before falling into sleep.

My dreams were very hazy yet lucid. The colours were too bright, the motions too fast. I skipped from past Avatar memories to twisted dreams of Yena muttering to herself in the darkness and Lee alone on Air Temple Island.

I thought I felt a growing cold, creeping into my body like stretching, beckoning fingers. The spirit of Vaatu was taking me over, engulfing the light of the Avatar Spirit.

Sometimes I would stumble from sleep into being awake, but all I saw was an impossible darkness. I imagined that it would glow with a pulsing dull red light, radiating with freezing cold. My dream body would pulse in response, with a mix of soothing warmth and numbing cold.

When I shot awake, it was dark out. I was still in the haze of the sleep aid, so I stumbled out of the room and looked out the window. The drug must have still been strong, because it looked like the city was bathed in a blood red light. Cars screeched, sirens wailed and a vicious female laughter, sounding eerily like mine. Such a strange dream. I shuffled back to our room, mumbling something to Yena's sleeping dark form, dropping into my bed once more.

The next time I woke up, I knew the sleep aid ran its course. It was day now, soft sunrays kissing the hardwood floor. Yena's bed was empty, the sheets rumpled and pushed to the end of the mattress. I stretched, every muscle in my body awakening and pulling. I sighed in pleasure. It felt good to sleep so long and completely. Yena was right. I needed the sleep.

I sat in the kitchen alone, looking out the window while sipping some tea. It was one of those peaceful mornings where you wanted to dwell in that moment forever. Republic City wasn't as noisy as usual. Was it Sunday or something?

Perplexed, I went to my room, pulling on my jacket I wore on the trip, the fabric still carrying the scent of night air. My hair was back in a braid, the familiar weight of it pressing between my shoulder blades. I grabbed my bag just in case.

Locking the door behind me, I trotted down the steps. The eerie silence got under my skin, pushing, needling me. Something wasn't right. My fingers slid under my sleeves, finding comfort in the cold press of my onyx whips. Taking in a deep breath, I walked quickly off our street, head ducked, hands tucked in my pockets.

The city was strangely deserted, only a few people out and about. And those that were out were pale and withdrawn, hurrying to place to place, like they were going to be struck from above by some angry spirit. I looked up, just to be sure. But the sky was a serene, happy blue. My eyes flitted over the puffy white clouds merrily crawling across the blue. It was empty.

"Huh," I muttered. "Strange."

As I passed the few people that were out, they gave me strange looks, like I was crazy for being out with them. I must have looked confused and irritated because as soon as they looked at me, they scurried off like frightened rats. I rolled my eyes.

Before I knew it, I was heading for City Hall. If anything was up, then the City Hall would know. I stopped into a halt when I spotted it.

It was still in pristine condition, with its gold and marble finery, unblemished walls and columns. It was just the banners hanging from pediments.

They were Neo Equalist banners.

Hey everyone! So here are the newest chapters I have at the moment. We are reaching the end of Yena's and Tiana's tale. So please comment! Hope you're liking it! :)